Alex Russell has asked supporters to help rather than hinder the young players in the Tranmere Rovers team, as they attempt to turn around a run of disappointing early-season results.

Rovers slipped to a fifth defeat in 10 League Two games at bottom club Carlisle United last weekend.

Manager Rob Edwards was confronted with a banner saying “Edwards out” at Brunton Park, while first-team coach Russell, the staff and players are aware of the booing and grumbling from disappointed fans during recent games.

Crosby born Russell, who enjoyed a long playing career before joining the coaching staff this summer, says fans don’t realise how influential they can be on the way players perform, particularly those with little experience of senior football.

Russell said: “My message (to the fans) is to support the team. Stay with the players, start singing and getting behind them as much as possible.

“I have been quite surprised about what’s happening when results are not going our way. These are young players here.

“They need every bit of support they can get. If they hear cheering and singing they feed off that. Any human being would feed off that. If our supporters could do that, it would be a massive help.

“They don’t realise the little moans and groans they make are heard by the lads on the pitch. I have been there, I know what it is like.

“You give the ball way and everyone lets out a groan. Players tighten up, get nervous and lose confidence.

“When the fans are behind you, it makes a massive difference.

“When people talk about the crowd having the potential to be the 12th man, it is so true. So when results are not going the way everyone wants, it is huge that fans stay positive.”

Russell recalls a spell during his playing days at Bristol City when the positive attitude of fans proved pivotal in turning the team’s fortunes around.

He said: “I had a spell as a player at Bristol City when we lost 10 games on the bounce.

“Then it turned around and we won the next 10 games. We were on a positive run and missed out on the play-offs by just a point or two.

“I remember the supporters were massive. At the start they were all negative. Then it got to a point where they became very supportive. They could see we needed help.

“That’s what got us through. It was the supporters backing the team and not being another drag on the team.”

Russell says the impact of supporter reaction is most profound on younger players.

He explained: “A lot of them have not had to cope with it before they came here. They’ve been playing under 18, under 21 and reserve team football where there is no crowd and no-one does any moaning or cheering. They just play. If they give the ball away, there is no reaction.

“To those players, this is a new experience and it is a hard experience. The more experienced players cope a little bit better but they still feel it.

“I was booed when I was 35 and it still affected me as a player. You know when you have given the ball away, you don’t need telling. It becomes a bit of a circle.”

Tranmere’s current squad is heavy with young, inexperienced players starting to make their way in the game. Defenders Michael Ihiekwe, Janoi Donacien and Ben Davies are all under 21.

Of the midfielders Jake Kirby is 20, James Rowe 22, Max Power 21, Abdulai Baggie 22, while of the front men, Cole Stockton is 20 and Eliot Richards 23. Only Power and Richards have started more than 40 league games.

Russell added: “If the fans can support the players, get behind them, it will make a big difference.

“I was at the Shrewsbury game (on August 16) where the noise from our fans behind the goal was fantastic.

“The support has been brilliant at times. That’s what you need when you are going through a sticky spell. The fans can help the whole club.”